Rock Climbing in Isili and around Oristano
Isili is in the centre of Sardinia and is one of Sardinia's popular sport climbing areas with many superb roof climbs. The rock climbing around Oristano covers many different types of rock, from limestone, basalt in the north, and granite bouldering to the west.
| No | Crag | Type of Climbing | Type of Rock | No of Routes | Grade Range |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Isili | Sport | Limestone | 300+ | 5a to 8c |
| 2 | Segariu | Sport | Limestone | 135 | 5a to 8b+ |
| 3 | Furtei | Sport | Limestone | 79 | 5a to 7a |
| 4 | Samugheo | Sport | Limestone | 186 | 5c+ to 7b+ |
| 5 | Monte Arci | Sport | Basalt | 82 | 4c to 8a+ |
| 6 | Billa Bong | Bouldering | Granite | Not known | Not known |
| 7 | Castello del Vento | Sport | Basalt | Not known | 5c to 6b |
| 8 | Sant' Antonio | Bouldering | Basalt | Not known | 4c to 6c |
Map of the Rock Climbing areas around Oristano including Isili
Isili Sport Climbing
Rock Climbing at Isili, in the centre of the island, is one of the most famous climbing areas in Sardinia. It is known for its outrageously steep rock producing many excellent roof and overhanging routes. The style of climbing requires athletic moves on steep rock with good holds and superb pocket pulling. There are over 300 single pitch sport routes at Isili spread across 9 main areas. Though the rock is steep there are still easier routes from F5’s, with routes across the grades up to F8c.
The best time to rock climb at Isili is from October through to May, with the spring and autumn offering the optimum conditions. It is possible to climb in the summer but there are only a few sectors where you can find shade. The routes are short so a 50m rope will be more than adequate for climbing at Isili.
The Pietra di Luna, Southern Sardinia Rock Climbing Guidebook details all the sport routes at Isili and is available to buy from our shop.
The photo shows Matteo Sessini climbing Husky (F7b) at the Corvo Solitario sector of Isili. This route typifies those at Isili, being overhanging, requiring super athletic moves on large holds – a feature that allows the routes not to reach excessively high grades.
Rock Climbing around Oristano
Samugheo is one of the most interesting climbing areas in Sardinia, close to the ruins of a picturesque castle, and overlooking a river. The rock is high-quality limestone offering around 180 single pitch sport routes from F5c+ to F7b+. There are 7 main areas packed in just one square kilometre. The best time of the year to rock climb at Samugheo is in the winter as all the crags face south.
Segariu is a relatively recently developed area. This old quarry offers excellent limestone rock, often overhanging, and high-quality routes. Despite being only 15m high there are almost 150 routes offering a wide range of styles from slab’s to overhangs that is reflected in the grade spread from F5’s to F8b+. The best time of the year to rock climb at Segariu is in the spring and autumn as the crags are generally in the shade.
Close to Segariu is another relatively new area called Furtei. It is a super-friendly climbing garden with many easy to mid-grade single pitch sport routes (F5’s to F6c). There are nearly 80 routes on limestone rock, with the best time of the year to climb here being the winter as the crags face south.
Monte Arci is in fact as extinct volcano. The rock climbing here is on dark basaltic rock with over 80 routes from F4’s to F8a+.
The Pietra di Luna, Southern Sardinia Rock Climbing Guidebook covers the single pitch sport routes at Samugheo, Monte Arci, Segariu, and Furtei, as well as Isili.